Delivering Marker-Assisted Selection in Eucalypts

Early selection using markers (marker-assisted selection) is an attractive tool for tree breeding due to their long reproductive cycles and the time to expression of mature traits. MAS leads to higher genetic gains by reducing the breeding cycle and increasing the selection intensity. Eucalypts are planted on over 10Mha in Asia and they are important sources of pulp, paper and solid wood.  Using technology developed in CSIRO, Gondwana Genomics scientists have identified numerous markers that control variation in commercial traits such as growth and pulp yield. These markers are identified in genetically diverse eucalypt populations using association studies. Due to the low linkage disequilibrium in the genus most are perfect markers that often directly influence the trait. These markers have been demonstrated to predict the traits with high accuracy in several unrelated populations growing in different environments and are now being commercially applied in breeding programs.  Gondwana is utilizing Fluidigm’s genotyping platform in their marker-assisted selection workflow and will share the value that platform brings to their throughput and productivity.